Lady Alma

by A. G. Marshall

  Ethan finished his speech and grinned at Rosa. In spite of his new position and the formal occasion, he still managed to look mischievous. King Benicio shook his head in disapproval.

  “There is one more matter to settle before we say farewell to our new allies,” Lorenzo said. “Admiral Benjamin has graciously agreed to allow someone from Castana to take Ethan’s place on his ship. This person will not be a formal ambassador, but they will be responsible for communicating our goodwill to Princess Ingrid and the Salarian court.”

  He paused for a moment. King Benicio and Don Francisco shared a knowing look. I stared at Lorenzo, willing him to meet my gaze, but he didn’t look in our direction.

  “I do not take peace with Salaria lightly. I know our past is complicated, and our nations still have much to discuss. I know that many of you feel frightened or threatened by the recent changes. Some have attempted to sabotage peace between our nations, but it has not worked, and it will not work. My father and I want what is best for Castana, and we will keep fighting until we have achieved it.”

  Prince Lorenzo took a deep breath.

  “After much consideration, I have made my decision. Donna Alma will accompany the Salarians on their return voyage. She will present our best wishes to Princess Ingrid and help the Salarian court see the benefits of friendship with Castana.”

  Don Francisco’s face turned bright red. The crowd roared and trumpets blared a fanfare, but all I heard was my own heart beating. King Benicio grabbed my shoulder and pulled me close so he could speak to me over the noise.

  “What have you done, girl? You’ve bewitched him somehow. Made him lose all good sense.”

  I pulled out of his grip.

  “Your Majesty has been away. You don’t know the entirety of the situation.”

  “How dare you? You think I wasn’t watching the negotiations? Getting reports?”

  Don Francisco nodded a little too hard. It wasn’t hard to guess who had provided the reports.

  “If Your Majesty will excuse me, I have a ship to catch.”

  I curtsied and hurried towards the dais. The crowd parted for me this time. It all felt like a dream. Lorenzo took my hand and pulled me onto the platform. He didn’t let go as he presented me to the crowd. Ethan took my other hand, and we bowed as if the announcement were a theatrical performance.

  “Your Highness cannot be serious!”

  Don Francisco shoved people aside as he ran towards the dais. He pulled his hands through his beard, turning the ringlets into a tangled mess.

  “Your Highness cannot mean for this irresponsible girl to represent Castana! The impact on international relations will be catastrophic. There are many more qualified candidates.”

  “Like yourself, Father? Do you want to run up debts in Salaria as well?”

  Don Diego’s curled mustache bristled with indignation. Don Francisco glared at him.

  “Stay out of this, Diego.”

  “I will not. You are incapable of handling your own affairs, so what gives you the right to comment on others? In the short time I have known her, Donna Alma has proved to be capable and responsible. I approve of the prince’s decision.”

  “No one cares what you think, Diego!”

  “Indeed they don’t,” Lorenzo said.

  He spoke softly, but his voice hushed the crowd.

  “This matter is not up for debate. I am acting king until the admiral steps onto that ship, and I am sending Donna Alma to represent Castana.”

  This last part was directed at King Benicio. The king glared at us from his hiding place in the crowd, but there was nothing he could do. He wasn’t supposed to be there.

  Admiral Benjamin stepped away from the ship’s gangplank so there could be no doubt that the prince was still in charge. Lorenzo nodded his thanks and turned back to the crowd. He stood tall and straight and looked every inch a king.

  “Donna Alma is brave, loyal, and nobler than anyone I’ve ever known. I can’t think of anyone better to represent us in Salaria.”

  He squeezed my hand and leaned close.

  “Although I wish she would represent us here.”

  He whispered the words so only I could hear. I shook my head, not trusting my voice. Lorenzo let go and stepped back. His signet ring sparkled in the sunlight as he moved.

  Senona and Tía Teresa pushed through the crowd. Rodrigo followed them, balancing my trunk on his shoulders. It swayed precariously, and Eduardo hurried to help him.

  Admiral Benjamin ordered a sailor to take the trunk on board, but he stayed on land so Lorenzo remained king.

  My family gathered around me. Father’s eyes filled with tears when hugged me.

  “Well, Ambassador Alma, I had no idea you were being considered for such an honor.”

  “It was all rather sudden, Papa.”

  He kissed my cheek.

  “Have an adventure, Donna Alma.”

  Senona nodded her approval.

  “You’ll do well, Hija.”

  I nodded back.

  Rosa stepped forward. She held the Rosas Rojas they had created from our garden.

  “I’m not sure this will work,” she said. “But I thought we could all give it to you together. It might let you talk with us while you’re in Salaria.”

  We turned to Senona. She shrugged.

  “I’ve never heard of such a thing, but there’s no harm in trying.”

  She grabbed the flower. Father put his hand on top of hers. Tía Teresa leaned in and clutched the stem.

  Together they held it towards me. I swallowed the lump in my throat and took it. When I inhaled, the Rosas Rojas smelled like home. I tucked it into my sleeve and gathered everyone in a hug.

  “I love you,” I whispered.

  “I love you, Hija,” Father said.

  “Have some fun,” Tía Teresa said with a wink. “If you want to have a late quince, I’ll come to Salaria to help you plan.”

  “I’m not sure if they celebrate quinces in Salaria.”

  It was one of many things I didn’t know about them. A flutter of nerves filled my stomach, but I pushed it away. I could figure it out.

  I stepped back and took one last look at my family.

  “Goodbye.”

  “Are you ready, Donna Alma?” Admiral Benjamin said. “We need to leave now to catch the tide.”

  I nodded and followed him to the gangplank. Lorenzo was waiting for me.

  “I’ll see you tonight?” he whispered.

  “If the enchantment works on the ocean. Thank you for this, Lorenzo.”

  He kissed my cheek and helped me step off the dock.

  I took my time walking up the gangplank. The boards wobbled, and I didn’t want to trip with everyone watching. I finally stepped onto the ship with a rush of excitement.

  The crowd had grown, and it surged towards the shore as Admiral Benjamin crossed the gangplank and boarded the ship. Lorenzo bowed his head. His King’s Trial was over.

  I searched the crowd for familiar faces and smiled when I found them. Don Diego was having a heated argument with his father. King Benicio stood beside them looking disgusted with the entire kingdom.

  Renata and Tullio stood arm in arm at the edge of a pier. They waved to me, and I waved back. Eduardo had rejoined the line of guards, but he no longer wore his cloak. He gestured to the admiral, who handed me a familiar blue garment.

  “A guard sent this for you. He didn’t want you to catch cold in the sea wind.”

  I laughed and waved to Eduardo. He waved back.

  My family and Lorenzo stood at the edge of the harbor. Rosa and Ethan held hands. Tía Teresa stood beside them, removing wrinkles from everyone’s clothes. Father wrapped his arm around Senona’s waist.

  On the ship, sailors raised the anchor and lowered the sails. The fabric stretched tight as it caught a breeze, and we drifted away from the dock.

  Chapter 48

  The ship hit a wave, and I struggled to keep my balance. Admiral Benjamin laughed.


  “You’ll gain your sea legs in no time, Donna Alma.”

  “I hope so.”

  I waved at my family while we sailed away. I kept waving even when I couldn’t see them anymore. When the crowd faded into a cheering blur.

  Then we rounded a corner, and they disappeared behind a line of warehouses. The harbor merged into the river, and the ship picked up speed as the current caught us.

  The admiral bowed and went to check on his crew. Sailors bustled around the deck doing various tasks, but I felt alone. I shivered and wrapped Eduardo’s cloak around my shoulders.

  We sailed past my estate. Past Mirella’s. Past small villages and farms. The wind caught my hair and blew it into my face. Some flew into my mouth, and I spit it out. This voyage would be a lot more pleasant when I could wear my hair up. I only had a few more days until my birthday.

  Or did Salarians care about such things? Would anyone mind if I pulled it up now?

  I glanced around. Everyone on the ship was busy with their tasks. I tore a ribbon off my gown and braided my hair in a style Mirella and I had practiced when pretending to be donnas.

  Mirella.

  I watched the forest as we sailed, as if she were hiding in the trees waiting to wave at me. What had she been doing in the crowd at the harbor? Was she also looking for a ship? A way out and a new future?

  I finished my hair and shook my head to check it. Nothing came loose. I tied the ribbon tight and turned away from the forest. Would Mirella leave Castana? If she had stayed and heard Lorenzo’s announcement, then she knew where to find me. Given enough time, I might be able to find her.

  The river widened and spilled into the ocean. I rushed to the front of the ship to see, stumbling even more as the deck pitched and swayed in the larger waves. Admiral Benjamin found me grabbing a barrel to keep my balance.

  “I expect fair seas all the way to Salaria,” he said. “But maybe you shouldn’t wander around on your own until you find your sea legs.”

  I nodded. I had no desire to fall overboard.

  “I am happy to have you with us, Donna Alma. Ethan spoke very highly of you, and I’m sure you’ll do well in the Salarian court.”

  “Will we arrive before the wedding?”

  “We expect to be there before Princess Ingrid’s fiancé arrives. I’m sure Her Highness will be pleased to meet you.”

  “And I’m eager to meet her. We need to talk about wedding dresses.”

  The admiral laughed.

  “Lorenzo chose his ambassador wisely. I think you and Princess Ingrid will get along very well.”

  “I hope so.”

  “I have something for you.”

  He pulled a salt charm from his pocket and handed it to me. I took it cautiously, remembering the last time I had used salt magic.

  “What is it?”

  “A language charm. We’ll be taking ours off and speaking Salarian again since we’ve left Castana.”

  I pinned the charm to Eduardo’s cloak.

  “How does it work?”

  The words felt strange in my mouth, as if they had taken on a different shape. I made a face, and the admiral grinned. His smile was almost as mischievous as Ethan’s.

  “The Salarian language suits you nicely.”

  I smiled at him.

  “Thank you, sir. I promise I’ll be careful with this charm.”

  “This one is replaceable.”

  He left to check on the crew. I stayed on the deck and watched the Castanian shoreline flatten into the horizon. The fairy mountains made a jagged line against the sky as the rest of the country faded into mist. I slid my necklace back and forth on the chain as home grew farther and farther away.

  A sailor approached and bowed to me.

  “Ensign Smith at your service, miss. I’m to take you to your cabin.”

  His words were accented, but I understood them easily enough. The translation charm worked well.

  “Please, call me Alma.”

  I followed him across the deck and focused on keeping my balance. He walked with confidence, but I stumbled each time the ship hit a wave. Ensign Smith slowed his pace and offered his arm.

  “I should call you by your title if you have one. I don’t know how it is in Castana, but Salarian nobles are particular about that sort of thing.”

  “Donna Alma, then.”

  “Lady Alma. It has a nice ring to it.”

  “Lady?”

  He gestured to the salt charm.

  “It’s the translation. The Salarian equivalent of a donna is a lady. Men are called lords.”

  “Lords and ladies.”

  I copied him and said the words without the translation charm. Ensign Smith grinned.

  “You have an accent, but that wasn’t bad. Your cabin is this way, Lady Alma.”

  I followed him to a room below deck. A very small room. A hammock hung from the ceiling, and my trunk took up most of the floor. The sailor laughed at my surprise.

  “No extras on a ship, Lady Alma. Not even for diplomats.”

  “I see that.”

  He bowed and shut the door behind him when he left.

  The room seemed even smaller with the door closed. I had space to stand, but not much more. I opened my trunk and put my family’s Rosas Rojas in it. Carlo’s was still under the rug at my house. No going back for it now. What would happen to it? What would happen to Carlo?

  I refused to spend my time thinking of Carlo’s betrayal. I grabbed Mother’s sketchbook to distract myself. She had scribbled a note in the margins on the first page. I turned the book sideways so I could read it.

  “A charm to combine fabrics to create a different texture. Layer the fabrics on top of each other in the desired order, then hold both arms outstretched. Wave the hands in the manner shown.”

  I stopped reading and flipped through the other pages, looking at the margins rather than the drawings.

  The book was full of her notes. Charms and enchantments. New techniques. It was a masterclass in fabric magic.

  I rummaged through the trunk and found a dressing gown. After locking my cabin door and double checking the latch, I wriggled out of my gown and corset until I stood in my chemise. I wrapped the dressing gown around myself and gathered my thoughts.

  No one in Salaria would care if I used magic. It wasn’t against their laws. My change from bud to bloom would be difficult to explain though, and I wasn’t eager to try. But as long as I kept my curse a secret, I could create as many gowns as I wanted.

  Starting with Ingrid’s wedding gown. I needed to make a good impression on the princess, and a gown seemed like the best way to do that. I had the entire voyage to Salaria to practice. To design. To learn.

  I propped Mother’s sketchbook open to the page with notes on combining fabrics and searched my trunk until I found a gown with white lace and a gown with silver. Tía Teresa had packed a sewing basket with scissors, thread, and other essentials. I cut some fabric from each dress and smoothed the pieces over the top of the trunk.

  I checked one more time to make sure the door was locked.

  Then I took a deep breath and unclasped the fairy necklace.

  Author’s Note

  Thank you for reading Lady Alma. If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review! Your reviews help other readers find my books and help me decide what to write next.

  Special Offer

  Would you like to read more stories from Castana?

  Prince Lorenzo needs help with his King’s Trial, but who can he trust as his spy? The mysterious girl all the servants are gossiping about may be the answer.

  Subscribe to my monthly newsletter and get this exclusive short story for FREE. You’ll also be the first to hear about new releases and bonus content. (Don’t worry, I hate spam and will never share your email address without permission.)

  Get The Prince’s Plan here for free!

  About the Author

  A. G. Marshall has written other stories about Salaria and Castana, including Rook
and Shadow and Alma and the Fairy. She also puts a twist on your favorite fairy tales in the Fairy Tale Adventure series.

  Connect with A. G. Marshall Here!

  www.angelagmarshall.com

  angelagmarshall@outlook.com

  Author Interview

  What made you decide to write a prequel to Rook and Shadow?

  I love Princess Salara and Shadow, but one of my favorite characters in that book is Lady Alma. She’s so intriguing and a lot of fun. I was curious about her story. Why did she leave Castana and become a designer in Salaria? What was life like for her in Castana? What past experiences made her so determined to help Princess Salara?

  Will we see more stories featuring Alma?

  I hope so! I have far more story ideas than I have time to write, so leave me a review or send me an email if you want more stories about Alma! I try to prioritize projects that I know readers are excited about.

  What inspired this story?

  So many things. My time working as a theater costumer. My own struggle with my weight and self-image. I lost 60 pounds while writing this book, sort of going through Alma’s journey in reverse. I had to learn to live in a new body and deal with people’s changing perceptions of me.

  Both Rook and Shadow and Lady Alma deal with beauty in different ways, and that was fun to explore. This was a difficult book to write because the ending was fixed. Whatever else happened, I knew Alma would leave for Salaria at the end. It was heartbreaking to say goodbye to all the lovely people of Castana! I used my own experiences of saying goodbye to friends when I graduated high school and college as inspiration for that.

  Are there more stories set in Castana?

  Not yet, but Rook and Shadow is set in Salaria! If you haven’t read that book yet, it is the perfect opportunity to spend more time with Alma and meet some new friends. Divinia gives a fairy gift to a newborn Salarian princess, causing plenty of magical chaos. As Princess Salara tries to save her kingdom from a mysterious bandit and a deadly pirate, she must face her own destiny in the process.